Russia is shifting its tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus, Vladimir Putin has stated.

The president stated an unspecified variety of warheads could be despatched to the nation – certainly one of its few allies – from as early as subsequent month.

It comes as Kremlin forces reel in opposition to a ferocious, long-awaited counter-offensive by Ukraine.

Belarus – close to the Ukraine border and in Nato’s again yard – is certainly one of Moscow’s few mates.

Putin made his announcement as he met the nation’s president, Alexander Lukashenko, in southern Russia’s Black Sea resort of Sochi.

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Putin informed his ally: “Everything is going according to plan,” a Kremlin transcript stated. “Preparation of the relevant facilities ends on July 7-8, and we will immediately begin activities related to the deployment of appropriate types of weapons on your territory.”

Some stated Putin was sabre-rattling, however others warned that amid rising desperation, he may use nuclear arms.

Retired brigadier common Kevin Ryan, a former US defence attache to Moscow, stated: “It is becoming clear, in my view, that the only way Russia can meet escalation with escalation is by introducing nuclear weapons.”

Ukraine’s military launched savage assaults on Russian forces within the southern Zaporizhzhia area of the nation yesterday.

Occupying Kremlin forces had been pounded in a single day by advancing Kyiv troops, backed by tanks, artillery and drones.

There had been additionally intensified exchanges on the jap entrance within the Donetsk area, together with the closely besieged metropolis of Bakhmut.

An unverified video from Moscow sources was stated to point out Ukrainian tanks hit as they ran right into a Russian minefield.

Speaking as he returned from visiting the flooded Kherson area following the Russian dam destruction, President Volodymyr Zelensky admitted there have been “very tough battles” happening.

He added: “But there is a result, and I am grateful to everyone who ensures this result. I thank each of our warriors.” Ukraine stated Russian forces had been at the moment “in active defence” in Zaporizhzhia and advances had been being made round Bakhmut.

Military consultants consider the fightback shall be targeted on Zaporizhzhia – house to Europe’s largest nuclear energy plant and in an space managed by Russia.

They say Kyiv is making an attempt to regain entry to the Sea of Azov, splitting the area’s occupying forces in two. It is believed it will eradicate a land bridge to Crimea, the southern peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014.

Kremlin forces seized a lot of the Zaporizhzhia area quickly after Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine final February.

Ukraine has been planning a counter-offensive for months, but it surely has waited to coach troops and to obtain superior army tools from Western allies. Meanwhile, two individuals had been killed as Russian shelled a hospital within the Zaporizhzhia area.

Kremlin forces additionally launched recent cruise missile and drone strikes. Falling particles killed not less than one individual in Zhytomyr, to the west of Kyiv.

A civilian was killed and three damage in Zvyahel, within the Zhytomyr space. Eight others had been injured in a six-hour missile assault in Ukraine’s Cherkasy area.